Setting Goals for This Year

I want to set 10 goals for this year of 2011. They are ranked in order of how-quickly-I-thought-of-them. This is part of becoming an unstoppable force. So far I'd like to think of myself as more of an immovable object. But lately I've done a ton of legwork to prepare myself for the transition.

1. Get an A grade in each class taken during my graduate education for the Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 semesters.

This goal is non-negotiable and my classes will take severe precedent over my other activities. This will involve constant and consistent study habits, organized study groups, and other necessary study tools to succeed. I plan on taking Hypersonic Aerodynamics and High Temperature Gas Dynamics in the spring.

2. Master the python programming language.

This goal is very important for my success as an aerospace engineering programmer. I've already put together a few scripts, but I will likely pick up the remainder of my experience during my graduate research.

3. Lose an additional 30 pounds

This goal is very realistic if I keep up my strong exercise habits. I have weighed as low as 223 from weighing 248. There are only 30 pounds to go. It has been rough and exciting thus far.

4. Create a start-up company for each quarter of the year.

This is a very ambitious goal that will serve to improve several skill sets. Creative and critical thinking, entrepreneurship, business sense, web programming, organization, and communication. At least one of the start-ups will be non-profit.

5. Migrate this blog and document all of my processes thoroughly.

I plan on evolving this blog into a readable format. I've been joking around a lot and it's been fun, but I want to get serious. Not really, there will still be plenty of joking around. The website may just look different.

6. Refine several hobbies.

Practice harmonica at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Neighbors love to complain so it has been difficult lately. Practice ice skating for 2 hours, 3 times a week. Continue running 3 times a week for 30 minutes (after completion of C25K), with increases in 2 minutes every 2 weeks. Read at least one hour 3 days a week.

7. Enjoy new hobbies.

Take up two to three of the following activities: amateur astronomy, flying (small planes), complex cooking methods, karate (black belt), guitar, or ballroom dancing. Decision to be made by 1/15/10. Second task decided by 6/15/10. More detailed goals within these hobbies will be developed later.

8. Create an actively maintained budget.

A monetary budget has been absent from my life and I'm certain that its creation will make me a more responsible person.

9. Master LaTex.

So far I'm getting pretty good at LaTeX. I'll probably write an AIAA paper in LaTeX to achieve "mastery". It's very expansive.

10. Something creative.

Be able to recite a poem in a different language by the end of the month, for every month. The poem will change every month, along with its subject. English will occupy the first week of memorization. The twelve languages occupying the last 3 weeks of each month will include German (Jan. and Feb.), Spanish (Mar. and Apr.), French (May, June), Mandarin (July, Aug.), Russian (Sep., Nov.), and I'll probably do something quite different for the last month.